5.17.25
Premium Gravel. 🤌🏼
Grassroots Culture. 🤘🏼
Just West on I-70 from the gravel-famous Flint Hills, you’ll find a hidden gem - perhaps the best-kept secret in Midwest Gravel - the beautiful Smoky Hills.
Why do we love this area? And why is this race awesome? Let us count the ways:
🚲 These roads roll fast and won’t chew up your tires.
🚲 The hills are steep and relentless, but incredible views await at the top of nearly every hill - and some really epic descents.
🚲 Four “Ruler of the Mountain” competitions on the biggest hills on the course.
🚲 The course has almost no “empty miles” - the terrain is diverse and interesting from beginning to end.
🚲 The people. Really… bike people are the best.
🚲 Several wicked-fun aid stations on the course operated by our partners.
🚲 DNF Wagons to pick you up if the course is a bit too much.
🚲 The directors care about creating an epic grassroots experience with all the elements you love about gravel racing.
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Participants will compete against each other on several long steep climbs, one of which reaches 23% grade.
Results for these climbs will be determined using Strava. Riders will compete against the others in their categories and must finish their distance to be eligible. Riders also must set their activity on Strava to public. Fabulous prizes TBD!
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Russell, KS Hotels (Start/Finish)
Midland Hotel in Wilson, KS (25 min. drive)
Hays, KS Hotels (30 min. drive)
Great Bend, KS Hotels (40 min. drive)
Hoisington, KS Hotel (30 min. drive)
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Below is the email that was sent out to all participants prior to the race in 2023:
Thank you for registering - we aim to make it an adventure worth bragging about to your friends. This gem of a course is as tough as it is beautiful, and we can't wait to share it with you all. Here are some details to make sure you're ready to rock Saturday morning.
First - everyone registered will be elligible to win a 3-bike KUAT bike carrier provided by Salina RV! If you need RV repairs or service in central Kansas, they're your best bet!
OK… now on to race details.
Registration and Start Times
We will have TWO start times.
200K: 7 a.m.
100K: 7:30 a.m.
Registration opens at 6 a.m. and closes 10 minutes before the start of each race.
As of right now, we are not planning on an early packet pickup the day before. If that changes, we will email you.
For those of you who missed the deadline to purchase shirts - we will have more available for $20.
The full set of rules and safety information is attached.
Start & Finish
We'll meet in front of the Russell Recreation Commission Building, which is also the registration/packet pickup location.
We have rented the building for the day. There are showers available in the restrooms of the gym area.
If you don't want to wait for the indoor showers, there are also well hydrants across the street (not potable - please don't drink!) that can be used to rinse off. I'll have a couple of privacy/changing tents on site for that purpose.
NOTE FOR 2023 - The men's room showers are out of order. Please plan to use the hose/tent option this year. Or there is also a shower at this gas station - but they charge a small fee.
Post-Race Awards and Food
Waudby's Sports Bar and Grill in downtown Russell will give you 10% off your meal. Please visit this awesome little bar and grill with fast service and amazing food. Tell them we sent you!
Awards for the 100K will start at 1 p.m., or 15 minutes after the last rider finishes - whichever is first.
Awards for the 200K will begin at 5 p.m. or 15 minutes after the last rider finishes - whichever is first.
Otherwise, awards will be ongoing as results are finalized and people finish the courses. If we have some categories with results known and it's clear it'll be awhile before the others finish, we'll try to get those podiums done so you can go get some food and get home to your families!
First, second, and third-place prizes are provided by Prairie Sailor Co. They made up some hats and bandannas with gold, silver and bronze designs on them and they turned out pretty sweet!
The top finishers in each category also get a crowler (very large can - 32 oz.) of beer from Dry Lake Brewing!
SAGs & Support
We will have six SAG stops on the 200K course and three on the 100K course.
These can be found on the RideWithGPS routes, which are linked on the website. Be sure you are able to carry enough water and grab enough nutrition to cover the 15-20 miles between the SAGs.
DNF Wagon: We will have 3 DNF vehicles sweeper vehicles driving the courses.
(Phone number hidden - if you’re a participant and don’t have this number please reach out at steinertindustries@gmail.com) Plug this number into your phone. If you get in a pinch and need a ride back to the start/finish, send a text and which mile/course you're on and we'll come pick you up.
Navigation: Please note the course will not be marked. You will be responsible for navigating the course using the GPX/FIT route files, cue sheets, and/or the Strava routes. They are available in multiple formats.
Hill Climb Competitions
There will be four hill climb competitions on the course, and the start/finish for each will be marked to the best of our abilities.
Strava segments have been set up for each climb. In order to qualify for these competitions, you will need to upload your activity to Strava and set your Strava activity to public after the race. Prizes for this are mailed out the week after the race. This is because we need time to make sure some folks didn't just forget to turn off their GPS devices while getting a ride back (and thus getting the KOM via car), and some devices take awhile to post to Strava. When your winnings arrive, we would love it if you would kindly share a pic of your winnings to your favorite gravel Facebook group.
See the PDF maps with SAGs and hill climb competitions marked on them on the website.
Prizes for the hill climbs are provided by Golden Belt Bicycle Company in Great Bend. Give 'em a like on Facebook if you would!
Prizes will be for the overall best times in each category. These prizes will change from year to year. This year we have Camelbak bottles filled with various items/goodies, and large Chamois Butter bottles.
Other Rules (full list is linked below)
Brakes: You must have functioning front and rear brakes or you will be disqualified. No coaster brakes allowed. Some of the descents are VERY steep with twists and turns included. It's part of what makes this area special, but it's also cause for caution. Be sure you're not hitting the downhill curves too hot!
Bib numbers: Bib numbers must be attached to the front of your handlebars or the timing chip might not register. We'll have some twist ties for you to use.
Full list of rules:
https://www.bikereg.com/BR/a/15865/WW-Rules-Safety0.pdfiption
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Interested in a partnership?
GREAT. We have a lot of options, from providing prizes for the hill climb competitions to providing merch or prizes for the overall winners.
Partners get THOUSANDS of positive impressions through boosted social media posts in addition to exposure to the racers on race day.
Send an email to steinertindustries@gmail.com to receive an information packet.
